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Thursday, 8 March 2018

Britain to build new wing at Kirikiri Prison to transfer Nigerian Prisoners

The British Government will build a new wing at Kirikiri Prison in Lagos, so that it can transfer Nigerian prisoners there.

The new 112-bed wing will cost 700,000 pounds ($973,000) and be compliant with United Nations standards.

It will make it easier for Britain to comply with a prisoner transfer agreement it signed with Nigeria in 2014.

Under the deal, eligible prisoners serving criminal sentences in Nigeria and Britain, can be returned to complete their sentences in their respective countries.

In a written statement to parliament, British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson said tenders had been placed and a supplier identified to conduct the building work at Kirikiri.

The project will be funded from Britain’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, which has an annual budget of more than 1 billion pounds and aims to commission projects that can help prevent conflicts and stabilize countries or regions.

The new wing is a matter of necessity as Nigerian prisons are suffering from severe strain in population.

The Port Harcourt prison especially, which was designed to hold 800 inmates, is currently bursting with close to 5,000, about 3,700 of which have been awaiting trail for close to 3 years.

The British Government has however not disclosed the number of inmates that will be transferred upon completion of the prison wing.